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~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 5] ~~~~~~~~~
In Saudi Arabia, UN Humanitarian Chief Begins Tour of Persian Gulf Region [Apr 5]
"The top United Nations relief official today began a six-day, four-country visit to the Persian Gulf region by holding talks with senior officials in Saudi Arabia on how to improve partnerships between the world body and Gulf States on humanitarian issues. John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Abdul Aziz
Arrukban, the Secretary-General's Special Humanitarian Envoy, met this morning with Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al
Saud, the President of the Saudi Red Crescent Society (SRCS). Mr. Holmes and Prince Faisal agreed on the need for improved coordination between the UN and the
SRCS.." [more]
A Better Understanding of Muslims Would Serve US [Apr 5]
"Winning hearts and minds — the Bush administration, foreign-policy wonks, even the US military agree that this is the key to any victory over global terrorism. Yet our public diplomacy program has made little progress toward improving America’s image. Few seem to recognize that American ignorance of Islam and Muslims has been the fatal flaw. How much do Americans know about the views and beliefs of Muslims? According to polls, not much. Perhaps not surprising, the majority of Americans (66 percent) admit to having at least some prejudice against Muslims; 1 in 5 say they have “a great deal” of prejudice. Almost half do not believe American Muslims are “loyal” to this country, and 1 in 4 do not want a Muslim as a neighbor. Why should such anti-Muslim bias concern us? First, it undermines the war on terrorism.."
[more]
Marrying Foreigners Is a Burden on Some Citizens [Apr 5]
"The phenomenon of Saudis preferring to marry foreigners is quite widespread in the Kingdom, which is known for its traditional conservative culture. Arab News met a number of people whose marriages to foreigners had broken down due to various reasons. But despite this and the host of challenges that come with such marriages, there are many citizens who still consider marriage to a foreigner as a better alternative than remaining single. Saudi men say high dowries drive them to marry foreigners. They also add that Saudi women are greedy, annoying and bad-tempered, and that woman from foreign countries, in comparison, are loving, tolerant and pamper their husbands. In response, the Saudi women say foreign men are respectful and supportive of women working. They also add that Saudi men cannot provide them with what they want and that marriages to Saudi men often end up in divorce.."
[more]
Investors Cautious Ahead of Corporate Results [Apr 5]
"Saudi shares were in a consolidating phase last week as traders awaited clues to the performance of listed firms during the first quarter of the year and the application of the market’s new frame and indexes due to start this week. The Tadawul All-Share Index
(TASI) shed 0.54 percent last week to close at 9,367.52 points, down 50.80 points from the previous week. The TASI is currently 16.2 percent lower than the year’s start.. ..The stock market turnover dropped sharply to SR27 billion last week compared to SR38 billion in the previous week.."
[more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 4] ~~~~~~~~~
Saud to Address US-Arab Economic Forum [Apr 4]
" Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal will address the 3rd annual US-Arab Economic Forum, which is scheduled in Washington DC
on May 7-9. Prince Saud said at the USAEF in 2003, 'It is our hope that the turmoil our region has undergone in the past few
years will be replaced by stability, prosperity, and peace. For this to happen, we must focus on finding solutions to the
region’s problems and improving the lives of its inhabitants. The United States can play a constructive role by providing leadership, talent and resources.. ..The forum, hosted by the American Middle East Economic Affairs Committee
(AMEEAC) in
cooperation with the League of Arab States, strives to enhance bilateral relations between the United States and Middle East. By
bringing together top business, government, academic and cultural leaders, the forum acts as a catalyst for change and
facilitates economic collaboration, cultural dialogue and innovation.."
[more]
There's No Room For Fundamentalism in Islam [Apr 4]
"Highlighting Islam's moderation and tolerance, Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti Shaikh Abdul Aziz Alu Al
Shaikh, reiterated that there
is no room for fundamentalism and extremism in the divine religion. He also underlined the need to combat all deviant groups and
their ideologies that inflict severe damage on the image of Islam as a tolerant religion.. ..He called upon youths to strictly
abide by these principles, especially the moderation advocated by the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in all his deeds and
sayings. Referring to the Prince Sultan Chair for Contemporary Islamic Studies, the Mufti said: "We hope this chair will
encourage scholarly research based on moderation, without excess or carelessness.."
[more]
Saudi Returns Remains of Iraqi Soldiers [Apr 4]
"The remains of 62 Iraqi soldiers killed in the 1991 Gulf War were repatriated from Saudi Arabia, ending years of "painful
uncertainty" about their fate, the International Committee of the Red Cross said. The humanitarian agency reported in a statement
that the body of a seven month old Iraqi baby girl who died in a refugee camp at the time was also returned under a bilateral
deal that had been negotiated over a long period. The 63 bodies, exhumed in northern Saudi Arabia near Iraqi borders, were
transported through Kuwait and handed to Iraqi authorities.. ..It is to be noted that another 77 bodies are buried at the unnamed
site still await exhumation and identification by forensic experts.." [more]
Mobily Floats 20 Percent Equity in Saudi Arabia [Apr 4]
"Etihad Etisalat, the second mobile service provider in Saudi Arabia, announced the completion of listing 20 per cent equity of
founders in the Saudi Capital Market. 'The process of selling 100 million shares by founding shareholders in line with the
percentage of stake held by each in the company has met with a resounding success,' the company sources said. This was in line
with the royal decree issued for the formation of the company to launch the second mobile phone company in Saudi Arabia, ending
the monopoly of Saudi Telecom. The royal decree envisages floating of 20 per cent equity for subscription by the public in the
third year after formation of the company.." [more]
China Refinery Set to Process Saudi Oil [Apr 4]
"PetroChina’s Dalian refinery, one of China’s largest by capacity, has added a major diesel unit as part of a wider expansion
program, and expects to process its first Saudi crude oil in September, industry officials said. The firm completed last week a
120,000 barrels per day (bpd) hydrotreating facility for diesel and kerosene, one of six major secondary units to fully match its
primary crude processing capacity of 400,000 bpd, they said... ..Once the hydrocracker is on line, Dalian will start processing Saudi crude under a one-year supply contract with Saudi Aramco for Arab light cargoes. The Saudi oil deal is part of a broader
pact the world’s top oil producer reached with the second-largest oil consumer early this year, said a second official. He did
not give a volume for the contract. China has agreed to boost crude imports from Saudi Arabia by nearly 40 percent this year, or
about one-tenth of China’s total oil consumption.." [more]
Saudis Plan to Invest in Rice Production Overseas [Apr 4]
"Saudi businessmen plan to invest in rice production in foreign countries to secure a steady supply of the commodity to the
Kingdom, the secretary general of the Asharqia Chamber in the Eastern Province said Wednesday. Adnan A.
Al-Naeim, Secretary
General of Asharqia Chamber, said the recent move by India to ban the export of rice to importing countries like Saudi Arabia
'clearly indicates that we are under the mercy and dictates of rice producing countries.' Rice producing countries like India,
Egypt, the Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam have either banned or slashed their export quotas or increased their prices,
thereby jacking up series of price hikes in importing countries. 'The Kingdom is not a rice producing country; we are always
under the control of exporters who dictate the price. The best option we have is to become rice producers ourselves by investing
in agriculture in countries that still have vast land for rice production'.."
[more]
Capitalism Has Failed to Address Major Issues [Apr 4]
"A three-day international conference on Islamic economics ended yesterday urging Islamic banks to address problems such as
poverty and unemployment in Muslim countries. The conference, hosted by King Abdulaziz University
(KAU), adopted a number of
important recommendations to promote Islamic economics in the world. Nearly 1,000 delegates from across the globe, including
several pioneers in Islamic economics, attended the forum.. ..the KAU conference came at a time when capitalism had failed to
address major international economic issues including poverty, inflation and unemployment. 'We should present Islamic economics
to the world as the best solution to its problems in a convincing manner,' he said. The conference urged universities and
research centers in Muslim countries to prioritize Islamic economics and encourage research in the field. It also called on
Islamic banks and financial institutions to fund such research projects, especially on topics relating to boosting economic development and fighting poverty and unemployment.." [more]
Oil Scene: A Drab Debate Becomes Interesting [Apr 4]
"Being at the top is not easy. Somehow Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude producer, has been dragged into the debate about
Canadian oilsand and if it is clean enough to be used or not. In an interesting tussle, a virtually unnoticed clause was added
almost at the least moment to a US energy bill that bars the government, in particular the Department of Defense, from using
Alberta crude because it is deemed unconventional and too dirty.. ..Strategic resource analyst Paul Michael Wihbey recalling the
November OPEC summit, said it was then that for the first time Saudi Oil Minister Ali
Al-Naimi “took a swipe at the oilsands.” He
claimed the minister then said “Canada is one of the world’s costliest oil producers and requires high prices to remain viable.”
Al-Naimi had suggested the Saudi product was a better value for investors, claiming, it costs $40 to $60 a barrel to produce the
oilsands crude from the massive reserves.." [more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 3] ~~~~~~~~~
No Paper, No Peace – Abbas [Apr 3]
"Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday he would withhold any assessment of the peace
process with Israel until the two sides start putting a draft accord on paper. 'I can’t speak of progress as
long as we have not started to edit a draft. When we start drafting we will feel we have started to make
progress,' he told reporters in Cairo after meeting Egypt’s President Hosni
Mubarak. So far, Abbas said, the
two sides aiming for a peace deal by the end of 2008 as targeted by Washington have only had 'exchanges of
ideas, a dialogue ... in depth.'.." [more]
Saudi Arabia is Interested in Ending Lebanon Crises [Apr 3]
"Democratic Gathering MP Elie Aoun said 'contrary Hezbollah claims, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is at
equal distance from all the parties in Lebanon' , pointing out that Saudi Arabia is interested in helping Lebanon to stand on its feet and end its current crisis..
..Aoun ( pictured) said 'Saudi Arabia is seeking to
solve the crises of Lebanon and this is what distinguishes it from other countries ', in reference to Syria's
efforts to maintain the crises in Lebanon, by its support for the
Hezbollah-led opposition only. He added :
'While Saudi Arabia is trying its best to have an election in Lebanon for the president of the republic ,
which it sees as the key to ending the crises, other parties including the Syrian regime and its allies in
Lebanon are putting pressure on Saudi Arabia to achieve specific gains at the expense of the interests of
Lebanon'.." [more]
Saudis, Turks May Develop Nuclear Weapons [Apr 3]
"According to a report submitted to the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Saudi Arabia most likely
would develop nuclear weapons if Iran acquires them. The report has been prepared by a member of the US
Senate Foreign Relations Committee after interviewing hundreds of individuals in Washington and the
Middle East. The report says Turkey will come under pressure to follow suit if Iraq builds nuclear weapons
in the next decade. The report says that while Turkey and Iran do not see themselves as adversaries, Turkey
believes the current power balance between them is the primary reason for a peaceful relationship.."
[more]
Saudi Arabia Plans Islamic Forum Against Extremism [Apr 3]
"Saudi Arabia plans to hold a conference of senior Muslim clerics from around the world this year to promote moderation in Islam and fight extremism, a newspaper reported on its Web site on Thursday. It was not clear if the event is linked to a call by King Abdullah last week for dialogue of Muslims, Jews and
Christians. Such a meeting will be a milestone for the kingdom where a hardline school of Sunni Islam
holds sway and has influenced al Qaeda and its Saudi-born leader Osama bin Laden. Liberal reformers in
Saudi Arabia are engaged in a battle with religious hardliners over the direction of the country, a key U.S.
ally and the world's biggest oil exporter. Saudi daily Asharq al-Awsat said the plans to organise a
conference of Islamic scholars would be pursued in April and May with an eye to holding the event later
this year.." [more]
Labor Law Precludes Mingling Restrictions – Prince Khalid [Apr 3]
"Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the Emir of Makkah, reiterated that the Ministry of Labor is the only authority
responsible for the application of rules governing women’s employment in businesses. Prince Khalid’s
directives came in a memo to all public agencies in the Makkah region, including the Commission for the
Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.. ..The letter refers to the new labor law, which cancels a previous bylaw that disallowed women mingling with men in the workplace. This bylaw has been superseded by a general bylaw within the new labor law that is applicable to both women and men.
Prince Khalid’s circular came in response to a request for clarification sent to the Governorate by the executive director of Khadeja Bint Khuwailid Center at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, about women’s participation in national development and obstacles facing women.."
[more]
Religious Police Held After Fatal Car Chase [Apr 3]
"Two members of Saudi Arabia’s religious police have been held for questioning over their suspected
involvement in the deaths of two men and two women in a car chase near the holy city of
Madinah, a
newspaper reported yesterday. They were arrested by Madinah police, along with a member of the regular
police who was said to be in their patrol when it was involved in the chase on Monday.. ..Arab News
quoted witnesses as saying that members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of
Vice, or religious police, pursued the car in which the four victims were driving before it overturned 20km
outside Madinah. 'Commission officials were chasing the car in which the four were
travelling,' one
unidentified witness said. Three passengers died at the scene and the fourth died later in hospital.
The paper quoted the commission’s chief in Madinah, Fahd al-Khidr, as calling the allegations baseless and
denying that his men were involved.." [more]
US CG Gives Scholarships to Jeddah Students [Apr 3]
"The US Consulate General in Jeddah on Monday awarded scholarships to 15 male students and 15 female
students to pursue English language studies.. ..The ACCESS English scholarship program provides two
years of free English language instruction to outstanding 14-18-year-olds through a local partnership with
Direct English, an English language institute. Students from the Jeddah area were openly invited to apply,
and were selected based on their school records and age. Nearly 200 Saudi boys and girls are currently
enrolled in the scholarship program in seven cities across the Kingdom.."
[more]
Kingdom-India Strategic Relationship Need of Hour [Apr 3]
"Saudi Arabia and India should forge a strategic relationship and enhance their roles in the developing world, speakers at a meeting here said. Speaking at a conference on Saudi-Indian relationship, Saudi Ambassador to India Saleh M.
Al-Ghamdi said, 'The security interests of Riyadh and New Delhi will be best
served by a strong strategic cooperation that needs to be supplemented by an equally strong commercial
and cultural relation.'.. ..Several proposals were presented at the meeting to promote Saudi-India strategic
relationship. Those included setting up of an exclusive Indo-Arab University, motivating more Saudi
students to go to India for higher studies, activating the existing Saudi-Indian Business Council,
establishing a business conclave and holding closer interactions in cultural fields .."
[more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 2] ~~~~~~~~~
CNN Hails King Abdullah’s Inter-Faith Dialogue Initiative [Apr 2]
"..In a report in its main bulletin, CNN highlighted the King’s call for dialogue among the three monotheistic religions for the
protection of humanity from frivolousness and his role in supporting the peace process in the
Mideast. Octavia Nasser, CNN’s
correspondent, said King Abdullah has made history by his initiative, which was welcomed by religious quarters. David Rosen, head
of the Religions Dialogue Committee said, 'Let us agree to shake hands with the hand that has been extended to Christians and
Jews.' Meanwhile, political analyst Dr. Maurice Jones said if it were possible for a leader to accomplish an achievement as
regards peace, then King Abdullah is the most capable leader for doing that. 'The US is hopeful that King Abdullah is capable of
doing a lot for realizing peace in the entire region,' Dr. Jones said.."
[more]
Hezbollah Criticizes Saudi Arabia [Apr 2]
"The Hezbollah militant group criticized Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, accusing it of siding with Lebanon's Western-backed government
in its power struggle with the Syrian-allied opposition. The comments came only days after Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal slammed Syria and its Lebanese allies for obstructing an Arab League initiative to help Lebanon elect a new president.
Hezbollah rejected Prince Saud's criticism and instead accused Lebanon's anti-Syrian majority of obstructing parliamentary
elections for a new president. Lebanon has been without a president since pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud ended his term last
November without a successor. 'This (Saudi) accusation against the opposition harms the kingdom's role and raises big question
marks about its position and role in the Lebanese political crisis,'.."
[more]
Abbas Sees No Progress in Mideast Peace Process [Apr 2]
"No tangible progress has been made during ongoing Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations, the Palestinian Authority president
said in Cairo on Wednesday.. ..Abbas met with Saudi King Abdullah in Riyadh on Tuesday, where he called for a more proactive role
on the part of the United States in putting more pressure on Israel to come to an agreement with the Palestinians. A Mideast
peace conference was held in the U.S. in Annapolis, Maryland last year. Palestinian-Israeli violence has continued unabated since
the conference however, and more than 300 people have been killed in clashes since the November talks. The Palestinian leader
also met with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Jordan on March 30-31, after which he announced that he would resume
talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.." [more]
Saudi Arabia: Grand Mufti Denies Inviting Israeli Clerics to Religious Conference [Apr 2]
"The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah al Sheikh has denied media reports that he has invited a group of
Israeli clerics to take part in a religious conference to be held in Riyadh and described the reports as 'baseless.' Sheikh
Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah al Sheikh who heads the Council of Senior Ulema and the Permanent Committee for Scientific Research and
Issuing of Fatwas said that he wished that people would ascertain the truth before issuing reports.."
[more]
Saudi Arabia is Prime Source of Terror Funds, U.S. Says [Apr 2]
"Saudi Arabia remains the world's leading source of money for Al Qaeda and other extremist networks and has failed to take key
steps requested by U.S. officials to stem the flow, the Bush administration's top financial counter-terrorism official said
Tuesday. Stuart A. Levey, a Treasury undersecretary, told a Senate committee that the Saudi government had not taken important
steps to go after those who finance terrorist organizations or to prevent wealthy donors from bankrolling extremism through charitable contributions, sometimes unwittingly. 'Saudi Arabia today remains the location where more money is going to terrorism,
to Sunni terror groups and to the Taliban than any other place in the world,'.."
[more]
Saudi Arabia to Spare No Effort in Supporting Beijing Olympics [Apr 2]
"Saudi Arabia will spare no efforts in supporting Beijing's hosting of the forthcoming Olympic Games and wishes the event great
success, King of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz said Tuesday. He made the pledge and expressed the wishes during a meeting
with visiting Chinese envoy to the Middle East Sun Bigan, saying Saudi Arabia credits China as a most precious friend. Saudi
Arabia is willing to coordinate its efforts with China and boost cooperation between the two countries for the promotion of bilateral ties, said the king. Sun, for his part, thanked the king for his attaching such importance to Chinese-Saudi ties,
saying China is willing to make joint efforts with Saudi Arabia to raise strategic and friendly cooperation to a new high. The
Chinese envoy also expressed his appreciation for Saudi Arabia's long-support for China in such issues as Taiwan and Tibet.."
[more]
Saudi Ruling Assailed [Apr 2]
"More than 100 Arab rights groups and intellectuals on Tuesday condemned a religious edict calling for the death of two writers
for apostasy. Sheik Abdul-Rahman al-Barrak, one of Saudi Arabia’s most revered clerics, had ruled that two newspaper columnists
should be executed if they did not publicly renounce their “heretical articles” questioning the view that Christians and Jews
should be considered unbelievers.." [more]
Western and Arab Media Must Bridge Gap [Apr 2]
"There is a need to open more channels of dialogue between the Western and Arab worlds, to bridge the gap created by the
September 11 attacks in the US, concluded a group of media experts from both sides during a seminar held this week. The
participants in the symposium, which concluded on Monday evening and was entitled "The Role of Media in Arab-Western Dialogue",
argued that the attacks influenced the performance of mass media in a way that has triggered further tensions between Arabs and
the West.. ..'Since September 11, the US has been utilising mass media to convince the public that terrorist acts are a form of
war," said French media and international relations expert Virginie
Sandrock. She stressed the importance of unbiased sources of
information to fight preconceived thoughts and images of the Arab world.."
[more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 1] ~~~~~~~~~
Saudi Court Meets in Secret to Ponder Fate of Canadian [Apr 1]
"A Saudi court has threatened the lawyer of a Canadian man who is facing a public beheading after the advocate submitted a bid to
appeal the death sentence. Mohamed Kohail's lawyer was ejected from the court in Jidda on Monday after tabling a 27-page document
before the same judges who rendered the execution order on March 3. 'The judge kicked the advocate out, they obtained a copy of
his permit and they're threatening him, to revoke his licence,' said Mahmoud Al-Ken, a friend of the Kohail family. 'The court
was not public. It lacks transparency.'.. ..The Canadian government has said it will seek clemency for Mohamed Kohail after a
directive from Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day met with Saudi officials during a visit to
Saudi Arabia last week. He asked that the death sentence be overturned and the case reviewed. Al-Ken says the case is in a
critical phase and the federal government 'has to do more.'.." [more]
Poll Reveals Saudi Arabia at Greater Risk From Religious Extremism [Apr 1]
"Nearly a third of all Arabs believe that Saudi Arabia is at greater risk from religious extremism than any other country in the
world, according to a YouGov poll commissioned by the Doha Debates. The survey adds weight to an unusually blunt message from the
mainly Muslim participants at the last Doha Debate, filmed on February 3rd, 2008, who criticised their communities around the
world for failing to combat extremism. A motion to that effect was carried by more than 70 per cent of the audience. During the
Debate, Ed Husain, a former Islamic fundamentalist from Britain, accused Saudi Arabia of acting like “a machine” by pumping
millions of dollars into the support of Islamic extremism and criticised its 'destruction of our heritage in the holy cities of
Mecca and Medina'.. ..More than half the respondents believe that poor religious leadership is to blame for today's extremism.."
[more]
Saudi Arabia Slashes Import Duty as Inflation Soars [Apr 1]
"Saudi Arabia is cutting import tariffs on food and many other items from Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported, after
inflation almost doubled in the six months to February. The agency said the cabinet decided on Monday to cut duties on food
products such as frozen poultry, dairy goods and vegetable oils to 5 per cent from about 20 per cent. Levies on building
materials such as paints, gypsum, electrical cables and plastic pipes will also be cut to 5 per cent, while duties on wheat products will be eliminated entirely from 25 per cent.. ..Saudi Arabia, which pegs its riyal currency to the weak US dollar, has
been struggling to contain inflation, which surged to an at least 27-year high of 8.7 per cent in February. The kingdom, which
has reiterated commitment to its dollar peg even as the US currency tumbled to record lows against the euro last month.."
[more]
Rights Group Seeks to Unblock Access to Websites [Apr 1]
"Saudi Arabia's National Human Rights Society, a private organisation, is striving hard to unblock restricted access to websites
belonging to Arab and international human rights organisations. Dr Saleh Al
Hothalan, chairman of the monitoring and follow-up
committee at the society and professor of politics at King Saud University in Riyadh, said that the society had noticed that
websites of Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders and the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information inside Saudi Arabia
had been blocked. Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Dr Al Hothalan said that blocking these sites is tantamount to
depriving Saudi Arabia of its rights as a member of the UN Human Rights Council.."
[more]
Four Killed After Vice and Virtue Squad Car Chase in Saudi Arabia [Apr 1]
"In the second horrific incident to take place in northern Saudi Arabia in two weeks, allegedly caused by a
'religious police' chase, four people, including two women, were killed on Monday.. ..The Commission’s agents fled the scene, they added. One
witness said after the car crashed he waved at the Commission’s agents to stop but they ignored him, prompting him to report the
incident and the SUV’s licence plate number to the police. Another witness confirmed that he saw the commission’s SUV at the
scene of the crash as it happened.." [more]
JCCI to Hold Kingdom’s 1st Environment Forum [Apr 1]
"Prince Turki Bin Nasser Al-Saud, the General Manager of the Saudi Meteorology and Environmental Protection Authority
(MEPA), is
scheduled to open the first session of Jeddah environmental forum on Monday, April 21, at the Jeddah Chamber for Commerce and
Industry (JCCI). 'Warning people of the dangers of environmental pollution is the main aim of the forum,' said Prince
Turki, 'especially when we need to exchange both local and international knowledge.' 'The forum seeks to benefit from the experiences of
other countries in fighting environmental pollution'.. ..Prince Turki said special programs are going to be used in the Kingdom’s
first environmental forum. 'Three important angles are going to be discussed in the forum, and those are environmental rules and
legislations, environmental management, and motivating businesspeople to invest in environmental fields.'.."
[more]
Demand for Petrochemicals in Asia to Rise [Apr 1]
"The demand for petrochemicals in Asia is expected to exceed the combined demand of the United States and Europe within two
years, says Mohamed Al-Mady, the CEO of Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC). 'Petrochemical producers in the Middle East, where
cheap access to energy encouraged large investment in the industry, will benefit from the expected demand surge,' he said.
'Growth in global demand was a catalyst for growth in these industries, especially in China and Pacific Asia ... where demand is
the expected to exceed within two years its level in the United States and Europe put together. Output from the Middle East will
account for 17 percent of global output by the end of 2010 against 10 percent at the beginning of 2000, said
Al-Mady, whose firm
is the world's largest petrochemical company. 'Growth in global demand was as fast as growth in production capacities,' he
said.." [more]
Editorial: Road Map to Nowhere [Apr 1]
"The Middle East Road Map is still leading nowhere. Four months after Annapolis, Palestinian and Israeli negotiators have yet to
find any way forward. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has just completed her second visit in less than a month, urging
both sides on. The only tangible achievement of her latest visit is an agreement by the Israelis to dismantle 50 roadblocks in
the occupied West Bank. But viewed more closely, this amounts to little. There remain some five hundred others, including the main checkpoints, whose cumbersome processing of Palestinians on occasions produces long queues lasting hours. But far worse than
this, Rice's visit coincided with the confirmation by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that his government has given the go
ahead for almost a thousand new settlement homes in East Jerusalem. Three thousand further illegal homes are in the pipeline.."
[more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 31] ~~~~~~~~~
Arabs' Dollar Doldrums Fail to Shake Central Bankers [Mar 31]
"Central bankers in the Middle East are proving the U.S. dollar's decline to record lows is a small price to
pay for the loyalty -- and oil money -- of their biggest Western ally. The governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, Hamad Saud
al-Sayari, called the dollar a 'good buy' when it fell to $1.55 a euro on March 12. The United Arab Emirates, conceding to U.S. pressure, will keep the dirham tied to the currency, a
U.A.E. central bank official speaking on condition of anonymity said March 17.. ..The survival of the pegs
shows how hard it is for major economies to break from the dollar, regardless of its 13 percent decline on a
trade-weighted basis in the past 12 months. Saudi Arabia keeps the riyal fixed at 3.75 to the dollar by
purchasing or selling the greenback with the local currency.." [more]
Extremism Is Tool of Destruction: Salman [Mar 31]
"Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah has awarded an honorary doctorate degree in arts to Riyadh Governor Prince
Salman, who is also the chairman of the King Abdul Aziz Museum, in appreciation for his contributions to
knowledge and support for scholars.. ..Prince Salman described religious extremists as “the main enemies of
the Saudi state,” saying that they have become tools of destruction and terrorism. He also said the Islamic
faith has always urged its followers to be moderate.." [more]
Saudi and UAE Taps Opened to Offset Price Surge [Mar 31]
"Saudi Arabia boosted its oil production early this year to one of its highest levels in many years while the
UAE pumped near capacity after prices smashed through the $100 barrier and triggered fears of slackening
demand.. ..Riyadh’s decision to raise output came after oil prices began climbing fast in December before
surging above $100 in January. They slumped below that level in the following weeks but have again shot above
$100. Strong demand has allied with Opec’s reluctance to increase crude supplies and other factors to push
oil prices up by nearly 30 percent since September.." [more]
Women to Work in Saudi Courts: Justice Minister [Mar 31]
"Saudi women are to be employed in soon-to-be-established reception centers at courts, Minister of Justice
Abdullah Al-Asheikh announced here yesterday. These women-only reception centers will provide legal
assistance before cases are brought before judges. 'We have come up with a mechanism in which women can reach
judges without having to mingle with men,' said Al-Asheikh. 'These reception centers will deal with women
visitors and convey their requests to judges.' Speaking to reporters on a host of issues after a meeting with
members of the Human Rights Commission (HRC), Al-Asheikh said that law graduates in the Kingdom would be
accepted by the Ministry of Justice to work as legal experts along with Shariah judges.."
[more]
Saudi Delegates Arrive on April 7 [Mar 31]
"A high-level Saudi delegation is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on April 7 to discuss labour issues between
the two countries and other bilateral concerns, an adviser said Sunday. 'Issues relating to Bangladeshi
nationals working in Saudi Arabia will be a major item on the agenda,' foreign affairs adviser Iftekahr Ahmed
Chowdhury told reporters in his office.. ..The Saudi government had imposed a ban on Bangladeshis working in
the agricultural sector or being employed in private houses. The kingdom, however, has made it clear that it
is keen to recruit skilled professionals such as doctors, engineers or technical experts. There are currently
over 17.5 lakh Bangladeshis working in Saudi Arabia.." [more]
Encyclopaedia is Biggest Research Project on Haj [Mar 31]
"The Riyadh Governor has launched a scientific and research project to compile an encyclopaedia on Haj and
the two holy mosques. Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz said on Saturday the encyclopaedia would document the
history of Haj and detail the location and the situation of main cities and pilgrim routes.. ..The
encyclopaedia, to be illustrated with photographs, paintings and maps, will also include input from
historians and researchers, historical documents from Saudi Arabia and abroad, discourse on terminology, and
the experiences of pilgrims.." [more]
KEC Set to Begin Construction in Madinah [Mar 31]
"The Knowledge Economic City (KEC) has begun preparatory works for construction of buildings at its site in
Madinah. The decision comes following the endorsement of the construction project by Saudi Arabian General
Investment Authority (SAGIA). A number of national contracting companies are taking part in the first phase
of the project, which will see construction of 100 villas and 300 apartments. Total area allocated for the
whole project, including the first phase, is about 4.8 million square meters. The project offers distinct
investment opportunities to businesses in Madinah.. ..The location of KEC in Madinah has enhanced its
position, ensuring that it will come up to the expectations of investors and attract visitors and pilgrims
from all over the world.." [more]
Editorial: Summit of Frustration [Mar 31]
"Substantial progress at Arab summits is rare. Habitual divisions have marked previous gatherings and have
been usually papered over by a convenient consensus on generalities. But when half the leaders of the
Damascus summit do not show up, the chances of reaching any sort of breakthrough considerably lessens, and
the odds are further shortened when one of the principal parties of the very dispute which has kept so many
leaders away, in this case Lebanon, boycotts altogether. The nonparticipation of so many Arab leaders in
Damascus is the culmination of a growing sense of frustration with Syria’s leadership, mostly over its role
in Lebanon, its declared support for Hamas in its battle for Palestinian minds and hearts with
Fatah, and not
to mention its all but declared alliance with Iran.." [more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 30] ~~~~~~~~~
Saudi Wants Positive Step From Syria on Lebanon [Mar 30]
"Saudi Arabia yesterday called on Syria to make a 'positive move' towards resolving the political crisis in
Lebanon as delegations gathered at an Arab summit in Damascus. A positive Syrian step would 'complement the
intense efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia and a number of Arab countries' to break the deadlock in Lebanon,
Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal told reporters in the Saudi capital. 'We hope ... the (Arab) summit
will come up with a solution to the Lebanese crisis in keeping with the Arab League’s initiative ...
especially since the summit is being held in Damascus, from whom we continue to await a positive move on the
Lebanese scene to implement the initiative,'.." [more]
Interfaith Dialogue Best Way to Defend Islam [Mar 30]
"A senior Saudi cleric said that inter-faith dialogue was among the best ways to defend Islam. Shaikh Abdul
Rahman Al Sudeiss, chief imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah voiced support for a proposal made earlier in the
week by Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz for inter-faith talks between Muslims, Christian and Jews. The
initiative 'is one of the best ways to defend the Prophet'.." [more]
Saudi Mortgage Law Awaits Confirmation [Mar 30]
"Saudi banks and developers expect that a regulatory framework governing the provision of housing finance, in
particular mortgages, will be agreed soon. Draft proposals are being considered by Saudi Arabia's
Consultative Council (Majlis Al-Shura). The move is likely to lead to a multi-billion dollar industry. A
mortgage market would vastly extend home ownership for both low and middle income Saudis. There is a pressing
need. Housing is a big issue in the Kingdom and the market is set for substantial with demand fuelled by a
rising population and migration from rural to urban areas, far outstripping supply.."
[more]
Land Dispute Will Not Delay Kuwait Refinery [Mar 30]
"Kuwait does not expect a land dispute with Saudi Arabia to delay the construction of its $14 billion
Al-Zour oil refinery with contracts to be awarded in April, newspapers on Sunday quoted an oil official as saying.
State refiner Kuwait National Petroleum Co (KNPC) launched a tender in June for the 615,000 barrels per day
refinery, which would be one of the largest refineries in the world. KNPC wants to build the refinery in the
neutral zone between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. But Saudi Arabian Chevron has a lease on some of the land on
Kuwait's side, which KNPC has earmarked for the new refinery. Negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
have taken place at a government level for months, but no solution has been announced so far.."
[more]
Opec's March Supplies Rise by 100,000 bpd [Mar 30]
"Crude oil supply from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
(Opec) has probably increased by
100,000 barrels a day, or 0.3 per cent, in March, according to preliminary estimates from PetroLogistics Ltd.
The 13 members of Opec have supplied 32.9 million barrels a day this month, up from 32.8 million a day in
February, data from the Geneva-based tanker-tracking service showed.. ..Opec, the producer of more than 40
per cent of the world's oil, has no plans to increase output even if ministers meet informally next month,
group President Chakib Khalil said, according to Algeria's state-run news service
APS.." [more]
Demand for Consumer Products in Kingdom Surges [Mar 30]
"The demand for consumer products in Saudi Arabia will increase dramatically, Robert A. McDonald, chief
operating officer of Procter & Gamble’s, said. 'Saudi Arabia has accelerated dramatically,' McDonald said.
'We see a lot of growth in the Middle East,' he said. Increasing buying power for consumers in emerging
markets has helped US companies with big overseas presence even as American household budgets are tightening
amid a credit crunch and housing slump.. ..McDonald said having worldwide business helps provide overall
growth and 'a natural hedge' against currency fluctuations.." [more]
HR Society Seeks to Unblock Websites [Mar 30]
"The National Society for Human Rights is seeking to unblock some internet sites of some Arab and international human rights organizations, the Arabic daily
Al-Watan reported on Saturday. Dr. Saleh Al-Khathlan, head of the Observation and Followup Committee at the society and a professor of politics at the
King Saud University, said the society had taken note of the bans applied to some websites like those of
Human Rights Watch, Reporters Sans Frontiers and the Arabian Network for Human Rights Information.
Al-Watan quoted Khathlan as saying that the blockage goes against the Kingdom’s commitments as a member of the UN’s
Human Rights Council.." [more]
Officers Trained to Guard Key Installations [Mar 30]
"The first group of 1,554 officers, who were attending special training courses to guard vital oil and industrial installations, graduated yesterday. Saudi Arabia has already announced its plan to deploy 35,000
well-trained officers to protect vital installations across the country, including oil refineries.. ..Al-Majed said nearly 35,000 security officers would be appointed to protect the country’s vital installations across the country, adding that courses for training these officers started a year ago.. ..The training of officers comes following terrorist attacks on some oil installations, including a refinery, in the eastern town of
Abqaiq.." [more]
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